Air (Bass Trombone.Piano.Vibraphone.Drumkit) (The piece is dedicated to my teacher and friend - Adrian ‘Benny’ Morris. It was written to capture in music how the air around us can be a peaceful and calm matter, while also having the ability to become a forceful torrent. The opening section is calm and tentative but holds an element of unrest in a repeated triplet rhythm in the vibraphone. The bass trombone enters on pedal D’s bringing the feeling of unrest to the fore. Rapidly the music delves away from its peaceful beginning and heads into a tense and fast section, showing how serene surroundings can quickly become dangerous and on edge. The bass trombone soloist enters with a melody on top which is much calmer than the parts underneath. The melodic line flows above the fast parts and highlights the air being composed of many elements. The feeling in the music is the juxtaposed (although retaining the rapid motion) continuing the idea of how quickly the temperament of air can change. The soloist and the other parts then begin a new melodic phrase. The phrase is gradually developed and depicts how even the smallest changes in the air can be significant. The reoccurring theme of melodic juxtaposition continues to enter as the piece develops. Tension in the music gradually builds up. There is a cadenza for the soloist, which illustrates that air is not a regimented or organised matter, but is free and uncontrolled. As the other parts re enter, the tension is quickly built up again through the fast rhythms. The soloist often plays long and striking melodies while the vibraphone, percussion and piano play very fast and dark accompaniments and countermelodies. The music begins to slow a little and enters a contrasting, mournful section. The mood helps depict air flowing through forgotten and barren landscapes. This section then comes to a close, as the music once again slows down even more and there is a reprise of the mood first heard at the very beginning of the piece. This serene feeling is slowly stripped away as the music enters its final rapid section. Fast, driving rhythms propel the music forward and portray an anxious and restless feeling. The piece continues and builds up to a sudden finish showing that as quickly as the temperament of the air came, it vanishes again...)
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